Final answer:
The old man is most likely feeling lonely due to the series of personal losses, social isolation, and the disconnect from family and friends. This reflects broader societal shifts where the elderly may be seen as burdens, leading to increased isolation and challenges in the experience of aging.
Step-by-step explanation:
The idea most likely felt by the old man in the excerpt is that the old man is feeling lonely. Evidence to support this includes his retirement from work, cessation of hobbies like golf, canceling his newspaper subscription, and the loss of his wife – all of which serve to isolate him from the community and social connections he once had. Furthermore, he loses touch with his children and stops seeing friends. This scenario elicits a sense of loneliness and abandonment, intensified by his wife's death and the distancing from family and friends.
In context, we see the shifts in society where the elderly, who were once cared for within the family, are now often seen as burdens and are left to live alone, further exacerbating feelings of isolation and loneliness. The responsibility of children towards aging parents is brought to question, as is the role of society in addressing the emotional and practical needs of its senior members.
Similar themes are evident in other excerpts provided, where feelings of loneliness and reminiscence of the past dominate. These contrasting situations, covering different aspects of aging, reflect a common experience among the elderly: the struggle with solitude and the yearning for past connections and familial bonds.